That's /FRAHHHN-ken-steen/, of course. Newsweek's Brian Braiker did a really neat interview with film legend Gene Wilder, whose memoirs were just published. I can't wait to get my paws on the book. Newsweek's online feature includes links to video clips of five classic Wilder scenes (including a moment from Willy Wonka, shown below), and background on each. Snip from interview:
Q: I didn't realize that you had had a stem-cell transplant. Have you done any advocacy for more stem-cell research or are you staying out of that debate?
A: I wasn't a friend, but I was an acquaintance, of Chris Reeve, and we talked about it the last time I saw him, which was at the U.S. Open. The Bush administration has this–I don't know what to call it–I'd like to say Neanderthal outlook about it. Generally, I don't like it when actors get up and start preaching, but it's something that should be obvious and it's hard to speak with vehemence when you think that the people you're addressing it to aren't going to understand what you're saying. I think it's something Congress should take up.Q: You write about this compulsion to pray you had when you were younger. What's so fascinating about it is that you called the compulsion your "Demon" when ostensibly you were praying to God.
A: Actually, I never thought of it as God. I didn't know what to call it. I don't believe in devils, but demons I do because everyone at one time or another has some kind of a demon, even if you call it by another name, that drives them. It came in March of my freshman year at the university in Iowa and it lasted a long time. I never knew when it was going to come or go. Every time I was happy it seemed to rear–well, I say his ugly head, but I don't know if it was a he or a she.
Link to interview and video clips, and Link to amazon listing for Wilder's Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art.
